OU Baseball Falls To UConn, Faces Duke In Elimination Game

Norman Regional one-seed Oklahoma fell 4-1 Saturday evening to three-seed UConn at L. Dale Mitchell Park. 

OU starting left-handed pitcher Braden Davis suffered his first loss in his last eight starts in a gutsy performance, surrendering three runs on seven hits with three walks and 10 strikeouts. It was his third double-digit strikeout performance of the season. 

UConn scored one in the third via single and three in the seventh on a three-run home run off OU right-handed pitcher Dylan Crooks after Davis exited with two on base. 

OU's run came on a solo shot from senior Kendall Pettis in the eighth, his fourth of the season and first since March 29. 

OU threatened with runners in scoring position in four of nine innings, included stranding a pair in its final chance at the top of the ninth. Freshman Jaxon Willits and senior Michael Snyder led off the inning with consecutive walks before UConn closer Brady Afthim retired three straight to seal the win and send the Huskies to the regional final. 

Davis (L, 9-4) took the loss, while reliever Crooks went 1.2 innings, giving up one run on one hit with three strikeouts. 

At the plate, Pettis and senior Bryce Madron went 2-for-3 and 2-for-4, respectively. Snyder and junior John Spikerman each recorded doubles.

OU will face two-seed Duke (40-19) in an elimination game Sunday at 2 p.m. CT after the Blue Devils eliminated four-seed Oral Roberts in the early game Saturday. 

With a win in the first game Sunday, the Sooners would advance to meet UConn later in the day. With two wins tomorrow, OU would force the if-necessary game Monday at a time to be announced.

TV designations for the rest of the weekend remain TBA across ESPN's family of networks. All games are available to watch via ESPN+.

The game can be heard locally in Oklahoma on SportsTalk 1400 AM/99.3 FM or nationwide on The Varsity app.

Tickets for the NCAA Norman Regional are available via SoonerSports.com/tickets.